She pulled back. “I h-hurt you.”
“You did. But you’re here. Safe. And you’re going to promise me not to do it again.” I tightened my arms. “That you’ll talk to me later. Tell me the truth.”
She coughed again. “I will.”
I grabbed the water beside her, and she sipped it gratefully. “My throat is sore.”
“The doctor said you inhaled a lot of smoke.” I lowered my voice. “You risked your life to save Gus.”
“His mom is ill. If he died, she’d have no one. I knew he was there, right inside the back door.” She grimaced. “I didn’t expect the beam.”
I slipped my fingers under her chin. “Never risk yourself again. Do you understand? You mean too much to me, Gabby. To Theo.” I stroked her cheek. “Sei tutto per me.”
The doctor came in and checked her vitals.
“Much better, Gabby. I want to monitor you a bit longer, then we can send you home as long as you have someone to look after you.”
“She’ll be coming home with me.”
Gabby blinked but didn’t say anything.
“Good. That’s good. Just rest now.” He patted her arm. “I think you’re in good hands.”
He left, and I adjusted her pillow. “You heard him. Rest.”
“Theo,” she whispered.
“Is with Mrs. Scott. You’re coming to my place. Brett is going to pick him up and take him to the garage in the morning, and he’ll have a blast all day. You are going to rest and recover, and then we’re going to talk.” I paused. “All right?”
“Can–can Brett go stay at my place tonight, too, or take him to Charly?”
I frowned, hearing the anxiety in her voice. “Gabby—”
“Please,” she whispered.
“I’ll arrange it.”
She cupped my cheek, and I grimaced at the sight of the burns on her hands. “Thank you,” she whispered.
I gently kissed her palm.
“You’re welcome.”
I sat down heavily at the kitchen table, accepting a cup of coffee from Brett. He had arrived home a short while ago after taking Theo to the garage. He’d spent the night at Gabby’s, making sure Theo was okay. He showered and changed then made coffee and waited to talk. The dark brew was hot and strong—exactly what I needed.
“She asleep?” Brett asked.
“Yep.”
“You look like you need to join her.”
I grunted.
They’d allowed me to bring Gabby home late the night before. She had showered, then climbed into my bed without a fight, falling asleep right away. She had talked to Theo earlier, although only briefly since she kept coughing. I talked to him longer, listening to him chat about how much he missed me.
“I missed you too, buddy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Can we have a pic-a-nic this weekend?”
“As long as your mom says it’s okay, then yes.”
“Are we going to Nonna Rosa’s?”
I met Gabby’s eyes. She dropped her gaze to the blanket, not giving me any indication of what to say. “I’ll check, okay, little man? You be good for Mrs. Scott and Brett.”
“I will!”
I didn’t push Gabby. I had no idea where we stood aside from her apology. I would bring up my mother’s place later. I hadn’t been able to sleep, even with Gabby safely beside me. The weight of what had occurred, what might happen the next day, the worries about her state of mind, not wanting her to wake up and need something and not hear her, all kept me on edge. I dozed but never slept deeply. Gabby, though, seemed exhausted and had barely moved all night, only waking long enough every two hours for me to check on her as the doctor instructed. She nestled close as if needing me, even in her sleep, and I enjoyed having her tucked against me. She didn’t stir when I slid from the bed a short while ago. I could let her sleep now without disturbing her rest.
“Stefano,” Brett began.
I looked up from my mug. “What?”
He cleared his throat. “Gabby’s things were all packed at her place. Well, most of them. It looked as if she was getting ready to leave.”
I huffed out a long breath. “I’m not surprised. Something spooked her.”
“Do you think she’d really leave?”
I shrugged. “I think she’d do anything she thought she had to do to protect Theo.” I leaned my arms on the table, scrubbing my face. “The problem is, she doesn’t realize she no longer has to do it alone. She doesn’t have to run anymore.”
“Can you convince her?” He met my gaze. “We’ll all help. Everyone likes Gabby.” He smiled. “I like how you are with her. You remind me of Maxx with Charly. Protective.”
I nodded, taking a sip of coffee. “Not a bad example to follow.”
“You’ve really fallen for her, haven’t you?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah, I have. For both of them.”
“Then tell me what you need. Whatever it is, I’m there.”
“You’re a good friend, Brett.”
He shrugged. “So are you. We have each other’s back. And others feel the same. Maxx. Charly. Mary. All the guys at the garage. Gabby will be well protected. You need to convince her of that.”